Two permits issued within a week’s time will allow a pair of projects on the same Lincoln Park block to complete large-scale renovations of existing buildings. Each includes the transformation of hospitality spaces to residential use, with one a shuttered hotel, the other Single Room Occupancy building.
On February 2, the full renovation permit for the former Inn at Lincoln Park was issued to developer Validus Capital of New York City. Calling the development “Apricus” for now, they’ll transform the former 70-room hotel at 601 West Diversey Parkway into 40 dwelling units. Lopergolo + Bartling Architects of NYC is named in the permit as the architect of record, with REBLD General Contracting & Consulting on board as general contractor. The application date shown is July 17, 2025, and permission was granted with a reported cost of $350,000. REBLD got a permit back in August to begin nonstructural interior demolition.
The former Inn at Lincoln Park, 601 West Diversey Parkway. Photo by Daniel Schell
Photo by Daniel Schell
Permit specs include a small retail space at ground level, addressing masonry repairs around the exterior windows, and removing/repairing the brick veneer. A catwalk hovering over the existing surface parking lot will be removed, as will the permitter fencing. The new units will not have parking spaces, with the existing parking lot slated for replacement with a nine-story, 49-unit residential building from the same Validus/Lopergolo + Bartling team. They plan to begin construction there once the Inn at Lincoln Park renovation is complete.
601 West Diversey (NE corner) in blue, 2701 north Clark (SW corner) in red. Via Google Maps
Rendering of 2701 North Clark Street by Studio Dwell
On the southwest corner of this block, at 2701 North Clark Street, a permit was issued on January 30 for work on the Leon Hotel SRO building. That permit includes a reported cost of $4 million, and was applied for on September 18, 2025 by developer and general contractor Contemporary Concepts, who also happen to be working on a residential development next to the Inn at Lincoln Park.
The new permit allows for renovations of the existing three-story building, and the addition of two stories above. A total of 25 dwelling units are allotted for, with retail and restaurant spaces on the first floor and basement level. There will be a rooftop deck with a pergola, and bicycle storage will be provided inside the building, but there will be no vehicular parking. Studio Dwell is the architect for the project. Contemporary Concepts got a permit in September to begin nonstructural interior preparatory demolition work.
View of 2701 North Clark Street via Compass
Floor plans of 2701 North Clark Street by Studio Dwell
The development is located on the northeast corner of Clark Street and West Drummond Place; on the south side of Drummond Place just across the street, work is ongoing for The Maven, an 84-unit new construction development from Moyer Properties. This is a very busy little section of Lincoln Park.
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Love the project at 601 W Diversey — nice to see a renovation that respects the building instead of sending it to witness protection. They’re keeping the look, repurposing it for the future, and letting the neighborhood keep some of its soul. Walking around there really does feel like a stroll through old Chicago, which is exactly why people love Lincoln Park.
As for 2701 N. Clark… it looks like someone binge-watched the Soldier Field Renovation DVD and said, “Yes, let’s do that again.” The mix of styles feels like a vintage suit with neon sneakers — bold choice, but the two just don’t quite work together.
LOL! Knew 2701 reminded me of something. Yes — the Soldier Field spaceship.
Thinking 2701 N Clark would look better if the addition wasn’t so dark. It looks heavy, heavy, heavy, like it’s crushing the building. Make it silver it would look a little better, maybe?
Very curious who the basement retailer is going to be at 2701 N. Clark
They’re trying to lease both spaces to a single tenant with a clear eye for a restaurant and speakeasy combo type deal.
2701 N Clark will be both more unremarkable and uglier in the new version than in its present state. Quite a feat!
sometimes it’s clear that a project won’t age well in the long-term. and sometimes it’s clear that something is ugly right from the start. why can’t they even pretend to care about the existing structure by creating extra floors that arent eyesores? oh wait, they dont care. they just want to add extra capacity on the cheap for a better ROI. ugh
Ngl i kinda love how ugly 2701 is. Sends an unapologetically YIMBY message
I mean yeah I’m still for it but ugly buildings, especially additions, A) risk increased community pushback for future development and B) shows our local development scene is either not passionate enough or not doing well enough to put the money/effort in most of us find preferable.
LP has a lot of old building stock and we’ve been seeing a ton of regrettable teardowns (for SFHs). The area desperately needs more housing. Any effort to add buildings on top of existing structures is very welcome! Feels like this design likely won’t help the cause.
The top floors for 2701 would be better if the addition modestly receded into the background OR made a bold and modern statement. The proposed addition is stuck somewhere in the bland middle. But very glad to see the existing building getting a second life.
It’s nice to see the improvements in this portion of Lincoln Park with these buildings that have been neglected and left untouched and the additional new construction on Diversey, Lehman ct and Clark st. Hopefully the same will happen On the corner of Clark and Broadway. Granted not all design, architecture styles, etc. are for everyone.. but they do bring great conversation, opinions, etc. Thankful for the investors that have taken on these projects.
I mean yeah I’m still for it but ugly buildings, especially additions, A) risk increased community pushback for future development and B) shows our local development scene is either not passionate enough or not doing well enough to put the money/effort in most of us find preferable.
LP has a lot of old building stock and we’ve been seeing a ton of regrettable teardowns (for SFHs). The area desperately needs more housing. Any effort to add buildings on top of existing structures is very welcome! Feels like this design likely won’t help the cause.